We bought our first and only home four years ago[3], about a year away from the peak of the market in our area, and we saw some atrocious houses along the way. It was a hot housing market back then, so perhaps some of the horribleness we saw is excusable, but with the market today there’s no excuse for being lazy.

Popcorn acoustic ceilings – They badly date your house, we have them and we hate it.

Too many personal items – It’s hard for someone to envision themselves living in your house if all your stuff is still there.

Snoopy sellers – Please don’t be there.

Misrepresenting your home

Poor curb appeal

Clutter

If you don’t want me to buy your home, there’s one very simple thing you can do: be there. (which is a mix of #6 and #7)

On several occasions, we would walk into a home and the owners would be there watching television. When I am looking at a house, I want to peek in the closets, I want to turn on the showers, and I want to look in every nook to see the house for what it is. When there are a ton of personal items there, I feel like I’m snooping and I’m violating someone’s personal space. When they’re actually downstairs watching TV, I feel like I’m really violating their personal space.

So, don’t do any of the ten things Bankrate recommends you avoid and please don’t be there.